By T S Thomas
Mangaluru, July 28: A 20-year-old Catholic girl from Mangaluru entered the Golden Book of World Records by performing “Bharatanatyam,” an Indian classical dance, continuously for 170 hours.
A student of St. Aloysius College, Remona Evette Pereira, achieved the honor on July 28 after dancing nonstop for seven days.
“ We are extremely joyful celebrating the achievements of our golden girl on making the 170 hour golden book of records,” said Jesuit Father Praveen Martis, the vice chancellor of the Aloysius University, at the end of the program.
Later, speaking to Matters India, he said Pereira’s world record performance was a tribute to the timeless tradition of classical dance. “We all congratulate her for this outstanding achievement.”
Students, teachers, parents and well wishers cheered Pereira as she reached the 170-hour mark. The performance started on July 21. The previous record stood at 127 hours, set in 2023 by 16-year-old Sudhir Jagpath.
The official recognition was presented by Manish Vishnoei, the Asia head of the Golden Book of World Records, at the closing ceremony in the university campus.
“Completing 10,200 minutes of dance with little sleep is unimaginable, but Remona did it,” commented the official.
Father Martis said the university facilitated her dream project. “It was not just a test of her physical endurance, but a profound tribute to the spiritual depth and cultural integration,” he said at the closing ceremony. “It was 170 hours of grace and grit,” he added.
Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore and several church leaders visited Pereira’s week-long Indian classical dance and appreciated her.
Trained under Guru Sri Vidya since past 13 years, Remona practiced six hours a day to prepare for the seven day marathon dance. In addition to Bharatanatyam, she is also trained in semi-classical, western, and contemporary dance forms.
She was earlier featured in the India Book of Records, Golden Book of Records – London, and the Bharat Book of Records in 2017.
Clara D’Cunha, another Catholic woman specializing in Indian classical flute recital, said music, dance and other art forms unite people beyond religious boundaries and spread the message of unity and mutual respect.
She said several Catholic boys and girls are attracted to Indian classical art forms and church encourages such cultural integration. Sandesha, a cultural center of the Diocese of Mangalore, teaches several students on Indian classical music and dance.
Pereira wore a rosary throughout her performance as a source of her strength, observed D’Cunha, who appreciated her passion and depth of spirituality to bridge the gaps in society.